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It’s no secret that the pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses across the globe. However, in the midst of all the chaos, there are a few things that have arisen that seem to be net positives for the future. Local delivery and buy online pick-up in-store (BOPIS) options are two of those positives. You’ve likely seen an uptick in these click-and-collect services being offered by businesses near you. For example, prior to 2019, only 4% of retailers offered online ordering with curbside pickup options this number has now jumped to 44% of all retailers.
Why The Change in Popularity?
There are a few reasons for this popularity shift beyond the initial pandemic need.
- Customers are now more accustomed to shopping online and having their items delivered right to their doorsteps.
- Local businesses have realized that they need to offer these services in order to stay competitive with the big box stores that have been offering them for years.
- People are simply tired of waiting in line or dealing with the crowds at the store.
- Customers are choosing BOPIS options to avoid shipping fees.
The bottom line is that customers want convenience and they are willing to pay for it.
What Does This Mean for Local Businesses?
This means that if you are a local business and you don’t already offer some form of local delivery or buy online pick-up in-store, now is the time to start. Local businesses that have adapted to offer these services have seen a significant uptick in sales and customer satisfaction. In fact, many businesses are reporting that their online sales have increased by 30-40% since they started offering these services.
Some other data to consider:
- 85% percent of consumers who have used BOPIS say that they have made additional unplanned in-store purchases when picking up an order.
- US shoppers spent $72.5 billion through click-and-collect fulfillment options in 2020—totaling 9.1% of all eCommerce sales.
- 70% of respondents in a National Retail Federation study felt that BOPIS improved their shopping experience.
How To Get Started With Click and Collect Options
The first step is to decide what kind of service you want to offer. There are a few different options when it comes to local delivery and BOPIS. For instance, will you offer curbside pickup or will there be a designated register for BOPIS orders?
Another thing to consider is how you will fulfill these orders. Will you use your existing staff or will you need to hire additional help?
You’ll also need to consider partnering with a delivery service like:
- UberEats
- DoorDash
- Postmates
- GrubHub
- Dolly
- GoShare
- TaskRabbit
Once you’ve decided on the details, you need to make sure that your website is set up to take orders. This means adding a shopping cart feature and setting up a delivery or pickup option at checkout.
You also need to make sure that you have the staff and resources in place to fulfill orders promptly. After all, one of the main reasons customers choose BOPIS is its convenience. About 73% of retailers cited having the necessary staffing as one of the biggest challenges for BOPIS fulfillment, so it’s important you don’t jump into this without proper staffing.
The last step is promoting this new service so that customers know that it’s available. You can do this by adding it to your website, social media, and even signage in your store.
Offering local delivery and buy online pick-up in-store options is a great way to increase sales and customer satisfaction. With a few simple steps, you can start offering these services at your business.
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If you can offer convenient, fast, and hassle-free click-and-collect services, you’ll be sure to see an uptick in sales. So, what are you waiting for? Start offering local delivery and buy online pick-up in-store options today!
Need help setting up the logistics of click-and-collect features on your eCommerce site? Reach out to EYStudios and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.